Support For Cannabis Reform In The NBA

“When you talk about guys playing at a professional level, there’s a lot of physical and mental stress that comes with that. To have something available to you that has health benefits, I don’t see the issue with it myself.” – retired NBA player Cliff Robinson

“The cannabis industry is an incredible opportunity for people to get involved in a business, to be able to make some money, and really be doing some good for people.” – NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry in an interview with The Star

“I would hope so, and I’m not a pot person. It doesn’t agree with me. I tried it a few times, and it did not agree with me at all. So I’m not the expert on this stuff. But I do know this: If you’re an NFL player, in particular, and you got lot of pain, I don’t think there’s any question that pot is better for your body than Vicodin. And yet, athletes everywhere are prescribed Vicodin like it’s Vitamin C, like it’s no big deal. And there’s like this perception in our country that over-the-counter drugs are fine but pot is bad. Now, I think that’s changing.” – NBA champion and current Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, referring to professional sports leagues and cannabis in a CSN Bay Area podcast

“We have tried to stop marijuana use in the NBA. I don’t think we have been able to stop it. I think it still goes on and is still a part of the culture in the NBA. It is something that we either have to accommodate or figure out another way to deal with it.” – Legendary NBA Coach Phil Jackson in an interview with CBS Sports

“When you’re playing, you obviously can’t jump out there and say you’re doing all that type of stuff. But I’m living proof that you can manage pain without all the pharmaceuticals.” — retired NBA player Al Harrington, referring to cannabis

“It’s easy for doctors to prescribe you Oxycontin and look I was addicted to it for five plus years so I know. But when you say marijuana you get a reaction, ahhh, it’s a gateway drug.” – retired NBA player Jay Williams during an interview with Fox

“So many guys would probably benefit from it and not take as many painkillers, which have worse long-term effects. So I would vote yes. I just think it makes sense.” – NBA player Blake Griffin, in an interview with Rolling Stone

“It’s a terrible feeling when you can’t help someone suffering from cancer or another debilitating medical condition. I know from personal experience. But medical marijuana can give our loved ones relief.” – NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson

“I know a lot of people that use it. It’s something that the whole world is becoming more progressive with. So it’s about time some of these entities do as well.” – retired NBA player Jay Williams, referring to the NBA during an interview with Fox

“It’s a very important issue to talk about. Having gone through a tough spell over the last year with my own recovery from back surgery, and a lot of pain, I had to do a lot of research. You get handed prescriptions for Vicodin, Oxycontin, Percocet, NFL players, that’s what they’re given. The stuff is awful. The stuff is dangerous. The addiction possibility, what it can lead to, the long term health risks. The issue that’s really important is how do we do what’s best for the players.” – NBA champion and current Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, referring to professional sports leagues and cannabis in a CSN Bay Area podcast

“If you’re a football player you should be allowed to smoke weed or ingest some sort of THC and CBD because of what you do. If Le’Veon Bell is Le’Veon Bell and he smokes weed, don’t stop what he’s doing.” retired NBA player John Salley in an interview with The Undefeated

“I don’t think I’ve seen people who smoke marijuana turn into a violent sort of person.” – NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry in an interview with The Star

“What made me change my opinion of the cannabis plant was because of my grandmother’s story. My grandmother suffered from glaucoma and she also has diabetes. I got her to try it pretty much on a whim, just from me seeing things on TV and different things like that, and people talking about the relief that it gives. It worked out for her better than I expected. So, at that point, I started reading up even more on the plant and how it was helping so many people. Some people even credited black-oil cannabis with curing their cancer.” – retired NBA player Al Harrington in an interview with The Root

“It’s about time some of these brands like the NBA and MLB become a little bit more progressive and start thinking forward instead of being held captive in the past.” – retired NBA player Jay Williams, referring to the NBA during an interview with Fox

“It’s a banned substance in my league. But I believe in marijuana and the medical side of it.” – NBA player Larry Sanders, in an interview with the Milwaukie Journal Sentinel

“Marijuana testing is something that’s collectively bargained with the players’ association, and we adjust to the times.” – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, in an interview with GQ

“This whole war on drugs has been an absolute failure across the board.” – retired NBA player Bill Walton, while working as a commentator during a Oregon Ducks Washington Huskies basketball game

“When I had my fourth surgery, I was in Vail, Colo., and my cousin introduced me to cannabinoids, and from that point forward, I’ve never taken another Vicodin or anti-inflammatory pill.” – retired NBA player Al Harrington in an interview with The Root